Starting means for internal combustion engines



Jan. 27, 1942. c, wYNNE ETAL 2,271,383

STARTING MEANS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJune 26, 1941 N15 an/ Jan. 27, 1942. c. H. WYNNE ET AL ,3

STARTING MEANS FOR INTERNAL GOMBUSTIONENGINES Filed June 26, 1941 .2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 27, 1942 UNITED STATES 'PA E' rorrice 1 r iI "227133 Y v 'STA'RTING'M EANS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION-ENGINES "4 NCharles Horace Lionel Wynne, Hem-y" Christopher .Tryon, and FrankRaymond Fab er Ramsay,

London, England, assignors to'n fNa'pier & Son Limited, London; England,a 'coinpatny 'of Gre'at Britain Application {J n 2 1941,sefri51K13299314 In Great Britain June 18, 1940 I mfoiaims. .(Cl.;1 23-'-'-'-'-18'l ."5)

I site ar as, power, thegclo'sing dr 'this-circuitis ;T;I}his inventionrelates to starting means [for internal combustion engines; moreespecially the engines of aircraft, and by meansof apparatus oi the"combustion, inertia or other non-continuously turning .type. When astarter of this type ';is employed the engine cylinders are liable tobecome overcharged with fuel unless a measured quantity of priming fuelis delivered into the cylinders at each starting attempt. The ob-'ectgof *theinvention is to provide for the delivery into each cylinderof a suitable quantity ofithe priming; i'uel while the starter iscausing the engine to be turned over, such fuel delivery being under apressure Which will cause the fuel ,to

enter the cylinder .in a-finely atomized state so type with which theinvention is intended to be more. particularly associated comprisesknow-n.

effectedlwhile the priming charge of fuel is being injected into theengine cylinder. 1

With-thefuels-containing chamber formed as a cylinder, as-is preferred,thereis in thiscylinder apis'tdn whichis movable in the cylinder througha variable distance, from the delivery .end of the cylinder andthefdi'stan'ce through which the piston is permitted to move when fuelis being deliveredinto the chamber determines the capacity ofthe'chamber in accordance with the desired amount or fuel whichgi'sto bein' the Ijp'ri-ming charge. QTheifuel in this chamber is kept undereressureby .fneans of aspring or air pressure actingonthepi'ston anusnon-return valve controls the'flowoffuel from the, chamber to the enginecylindn -When "this. valve is. lifted to allow the fuelitopass to theengine'cylinder, at the same means 'forrturning over the 'engine bypoweri-derived from gas pressure resulting from the combustio'n of acharge contained in a cartridge whichds ignited :or fired when anelectric circuit iscompleted. The invention-is applicable, how ever, foruse "with other known starting apparatus of the general type in questionwhich, can be brought into operation by means actuated electrically,hydraulically or pneumatically.

According to this invention there is combined with a starting apparatusof the type indicated above, a device which will cause a measuredquantity of priming fuel to be injected into the engin cylinder andmeans for bringing this-deyice into operation and forcausin'g thestarter to time there isfclosed. the electric circuit which causes the.starter to function. It is convenient r arrange in -this electriccircuit .two separate contacts which have to be made simultaneously seastoefiect the closing of the circuit. One of es e contacts is made whenthe non-return valve lifted. and the other contact is made when thepiston as it moves under the pressure exerted on (it-is approaching theendof the fuel cylinder and delivery of the pr-iming'char-ge is about toend. The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of examplealternativeconstructions and an arrangement of theapparatus which-may beemplayed in carryingthe invention into practice.

function as the fuel charge is entering the e'ngine cylinder, The devicecomprises a chamber, which may conveniently be formed as a cylinder,

' adapted to contain under pressure the amount of fuel required for apriming charge and means for permitting the fuel to pass from thischamber into the engine, cylinder and for simultaneously bringing thestarter into operation. Means are provided for varying the capacity ofthis chamto function. Where as is preferred the starting I apparatus iscaused to function by the closing of.

an'electric circuit, the electric current for example firing a cartridgewhich :generates the requimesa "threaded to engage an internal threadextending alongi inthe-end portion of the cylinder A. With-' Inthese'drawings, V e

Figure. 1315 a sectional elevation of one form of thefuel-'containingchamber, and the parts more particularlyassociated withit. n

Figure 2 isi-ax similar view of the cylindrical 'chamberjshowing analternative arrangement for maintaining in the chamber the necessarypres sure on the fuel therein certainworking parts being broken away oromittedfor the sake of clear- "Figure. 3 shows diagrammatically how thein:- vention may be arranged in relation to an engine.

. Referring to Figure 1 the fuel-containing chamber is here constitutedby the cylinder A, in one end B which may be integral with the cylinder,are the passages through which the .fuel

enters andfio'ws 1away'from the chamber. The 'Otherend C of the cylinderis adjustable being provided 'w'itha sleeve C externally screwin thelatter lies and can move a piston D having a rod D which extends and canmove freely through a central opening C in the cylinder head C. In thecylinder and between the head C and the piston D is a spring E whichtends constantly to move the piston towards the end B of the cylinder.By adjustment of the cylinder head C the end of whose sleeve C forms anabutment, the distance through which the piston can move in the cylinderagainst the spring can be varied and thus the capacity of the cylindermay be changed to measure and determine the amount of fuel which thecylinder can hold at one time as a priming charge.

By way of the passage F in the end B of the cylinder A fuel may bedelivered past the nonreturn valve F by a pump operated by hand orotherwise when required. The outlet passage G leads from the fuelcylinder to the engine cylinder and the flow through this passage iscontrolled by a non-return valve H. This valve is provided with aspindle H and acted on by a spring H which tends to keep the valve onits seat. In contact with the end of this spindle is the end of one armJ of a lever pivoted at J and adapted to be moved through its other armJ When thus moved the lever will lift the valve H off its seat and allowthe measured charge of fuel contained in the cylinder A to flow throughthe passage G to the engine cylinder. At the same time the arm J of thelever by bearing on the adjustable stud K will bring together thecontacts K K and close the part of the electric circuit through wires L,L These contacts will thus be maintained closed so long as the lever isacted on to keep the valve H lifted and allow the flow of fuel tocontinue from the cylinder A.

This electric circuit controls the operation of the starting apparatus B(Fig. 3), but the circuit will not be fully closed until other contactsK K have been made, and this is effected as the piston D is finishingits stroke when forcing the fuel from the cylinder A into the powercylinders of the engine. On the outer and screwthreaded end portion ofthe piston rod D is adjustably mounted a sleeve or like member D havingsuch dimensions both in length and thickness that during the last partof the movement of the piston towards the end B of the cylinder, thissleeve by coming into and remaining in contact with a projection K onthe contact member K, will bring the contacts K K together, and socomplete the closing of the electric circuit through the wires L and LThis circuit will remain closed, so far as it is controlled by these twopairs of contacts K K and K K until fuel is again forced into thecylinder A and the piston thereby raised so as to move the sleeve Dclear of the contact-making projection K This will be when the cylinderis once more filled. with a priming charge.

In the modified construction of fuel-containing cylinder shown in Figure2 in place of the necessary pressure being exerted on the piston in thecylinder A by a spring, air under a suitable pressure is admitted to thecylinder behind the piston. This air admission is by way of the passageM' in which is an adjustable non-return valve M Asin the constructionshown in Figure 1 the capacity of the cylindermay be'varied, and thusthe amount of the fuel in a priming charge, by screwing out or in thecylinder head C, the end of the sleeve C carried by this head forming anabutment which determines the distance that the piston can move whenfuel is forced into the cylinder A to charge it.'

Figure 3 shows diagrammatically a general the priming charge through thepipe F Figure 1.

lay-out of the invention and starting apparatus as it may be arranged inpractice. In this drawing the engine N is supplied with fuel for normalrunning from the fuel tank 0 through the pipe line 0 A branch pipe 0leads to a hand pump P by which fuel can be'drawn from the pipe 0 anddelivered into the measuring chamber A for The lever J by means of whichthe fuel delivery Valve is lifted and the contacts K K brought togetherhas its second arm J connected by a link J to one arm Q of a bell-cranklever pivoted at Q the other arm Q of this lever being connected to anoperating knob Q or like device by means of which the lever J J can beactuated.

The starting apparatus is indicated at R and conveniently is of theknown type comprising a cartridge of combustible material adapted to befired by closing an electric circuit when the gaseous pressure producedserves to turn over the engine. The electric circuit includes a batteryL and switch S with the wires L, L and L and the contacts K K and K Kthe latter not being shown in this view, but being as shown in Thecircuit may be grounded as at T through the metallic parts of theapparatus. The fuel is delivered from the chamber A to the cylinders ofthe engine N by wayof the pip ing G The switch S enables the circuitcontrolling the operation of the starter R to be wholly cut out ifdesired while leaving the priming device free to be actuated as requiredby means of th knob Q What we claim as our invention and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine thecombination of a starter of the non-continuous turning type indicated, achamber adapted to contain the fuel required for a priming charge forthe engine cylinder, means for delivering fuel into this chamber, meansfor maintaining under pressure the fuel in this chamber, a valvecontrolling the flow of fuel from this chamber into the engine cylinder,and means for actuating this valve so as to permit such flow and forcausing the starter to function as the charge of priming fuel isentering the engine cylinder as set forth.

2. In apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine thecombination of a starter of the non-continuous turning type indicated, achamber adapted to contain the fuel required for a priming charge forthe engine cylinder, means for varying the capacity of this chamber andthereby determining the amount of fuel which is to constitute thepriming charge, means for delivering fuel into this chamber, means formaintaining under pressure the fuel in this chamber, a valve controllingthe flow of fuel from this chamber into the engine cylinder, and meansfor actuating this valve so as to permit such flow and for causing thestarter to function as the charge of priming fuel is entering the enginecylinder as set forth.

3. In apparatus for starting an internal corn bustion engine thecombination of a starter of the type in which power is obtainedfrom'gases under pressure produced by combustion of a charge containedin a cartridge, means comprising an electric circuit for effecting theignition of this combustible charge, a chamber adapted to contain theamount of fuel required for a priming charge for the engine cylinder,means for delivering fuel into this chamber, means for maintaining underpressure the fuel in this chamber, means for permitting the fuel to passfrom this chamber into the engine cylinder and atthe same time closingthe said electric circuit and thereby causing the starter to function asthe charge of priming fuel is entering the engine cylinder as set forth.

4. In apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine thecombination of a starter of the type in which poweris obtained fromgases under pressure produced by combustion of a charge contained in acartridge, means comprising an electric circuit for effecting theignition of this combustible charge, a chamber adapted to contain thefuel required for a priming charge for the engine cylinder, means forvarying the capacity of this chamber and thereby determining the amountof fuel which is to constitute the priming charge, means fordeliveringfuel into this chamber, means for maintaining under pressurethe fuel in this chamber, means for permitting the fuel to pass fromthis chamber into the engine cylinder and at the same time closing thesaid electric circuit and thereby causing the starter to function as thecharge of priming fuel isentering the engine cylinder as set forth.

5. In apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine thecombination of a starter of the type in which power is obtained fromgases under pressure produced by combustion of a charge contained in acartridge, means comprising an electric circuit for effecting theignition of this combustible charge, a chamber adapted to contain thefuel required for a priming charge for the engine cylinder, means fordelivering fuel into this chamber, means for maintaining under pressurethe fuel in this chamber, a valve: controlling the flow of fuel fromthis chamber into the engine cylinder, and means for actuating thisvalve so as to permit such fiOW and at the same time closing the saidelectric circuit and thereby causing the starter to function as thecharge of priming fuel is entering the engine cylinder as set forth.

6. In apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine thecombination of a starter of the type in which power is obtained fromgases under pressure produced by combustion of a charge contained in acartridge, means comprising an electric circuit for effecting theignition of this combustible charge, a chamber adapted to contain thefuel required for a priming charge for the engine cylinder, means forvarying the capacity of this chamber and thereby determining the amountof fuel which is to constitute the priming charge, means for deliveringfuel into this chamber, means for maintaining under pressure the fuel inthis chamber, a valve controlling the flow of fuel from this chamberinto the engine cylinder, and means for actuating this valve so as topermit such flow and at the same time closing the said electric circuitand thereby causing the starter to function as the charge of primingfuel is entering the engine cylinder as set forth.

'7. In apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine thecombination of a starter of the non-continuous turning type indicated, acylindrical chamber adapted to contain the fuel required for a primingcharge for the engine cylinder, a piston movable in this cylinder, meansfor delivering into this cylinder fuel which then fills the space at oneside of the piston, means acting and exerting pressure on the other sideof the piston and thereby maintaining under pressure the fuel in thecylinder, a valve which retains the fuel in the cylinder after it hasbeen delivered thereinto, a valve controlling the flow of fuel from thesaid cylindrical chamber into the engine cylinder, and means foractuating this valve so as to permit such flow and for causing thestarter to function as the fuel charge is entering the engine cylinderas set forth.

8. In apparatus for starting an internal com bustion engine thecombination of a starter of the non-continuous turning type indicated, acylindrical chamber adaptedto contain the fuel required for a primingcharge for the engine cylinder, a piston movable in this cylinder, anadjustable stop which determines the distance through which the pistoncan move in one direction, means for delivering into this cylinder fuelwhich then fills the space at one side of the piston the amount of thefuel thus contained in the cylinder being determined by the setting ofthe said stop which limits the piston movement when the fuel isdelivered into the cylinder, means acting and exerting pressure on theother side of the piston and thereby maintaining under pressure the fuelin the cylinder, a valve which retains the fuel in the cylinder after ithas been delivered thereinto, a valve controlling the flow of fuel fromthe said cylindricalchamber into the engine cylinder, and means foractuating this valve so as to permit such flow and for causing thestarter to function as the charge of priming fuel is entering the enginecylinder as set forth.

9- In apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine thecombination of a starter of the non-continuous turning type indicated, acylindrical chamber adapted to contain the fuel required for a primingcharge for the engine cylinder, a piston movable in this cylinder, meansfor delivering into this cylinder fuel which then fills the space at oneside of the piston, a spring acting on the other side of the piston andthereby maintaining under pressure the fuel in the cylinder, means forvarying the distance through which the pistoncan move and therebydetermining the amount of fuel which is to constitute the primingcharge, a valve which retains the fuel in the cylinder after it has beendelivered thereinto, a valve controlling the fiowof fuel from the saidcylindrical chamber into the engine cyl-, inder, and means for actuatingthis valve so as to permit such flow and for causing the starter tofunction as the charge of priming fuel is entering the engine cylinderas set forth.

10. In apparatus for starting an internal com bustion engine thecombination of a starter of the non-continuous turning type indicated, acylindrical chamber adapted to contain the fuel required for a primingcharge for the engine cylinder/a piston movable in this cylinder, acylinder head in screw-threaded engagement with the end of the saidcylindrical chamber and constituting an adjustable stop which determinesthe distance through which the piston can move in the direction of thesaid cylinder head, means for delivering'into this cylinder fuel whichthen fills the space at one side of the piston the amount of the fuelthus contained in the cylinder being determined by the setting of thesaid stop which limits the piston movement when the fuel is deliveredinto the cylinder, means acting and exerting pressure on the other sideof the piston and thereby maintaining under pressure the fuel in thecylinder, a valve which retains the fuel in the cylinder after it hasbeen delivered thereinto, a valve controlling the flow of fuel from thesaid cylindrical chamber into the engine cylinder, and means foractuating this valve so as to permit such flow and for causing thestarter to function as the charge of priming fuel is entering the enginecylinder as set forth.

11.- In apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine thecombination of a starter of the type in which power is obtained fromgases under pressure produced by combustion of a charge contained in acartridge, means comprising an electric circuit for effecting theignition of this combustible charge, a cylindrical chamber adapted tocontain the fuel required for a priming charge for the engine cylinder,a piston movable in this cylinder, means for delivering into thiscylinder fuel which then fills the space at one side of the piston,means acting and exerting pressure on the other side of the piston andthereby maintaining under pressure the fuel in the cylinder, a valvewhich retains the fuel in the cylinder after it has been deliveredthereinto, a valve controlling the flow of fuel from the saidcylindrical chamber into the engine cylinder, and means for actuatingthis valve so as to permit such flow and at the same time closing thesaid electric circuit and thereby causing the starter to function as thecharge of priming fuel is entering the engine cylinder as set forth.

12. In apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine thecombination of a starter of the type in which power is obtained fromgases under pressure produced by combustion of a charge contained in acartridge,meanscomprising an electric circuit for effecting the ignitionof this combustible charge, a cylindrical chamber adapted to contain thefuel required for a priming charge for the engine cylinder, a pistonmovable in this cylinder, means for delivering into this cylinder fuelwhich then fills the space at one side of the piston, a spring acting onthe other side of the piston and thereby maintaining under pressure thefuel in the cylinder, means for varying the distance through which thepiston can move and thereby determining the amount of fuel which is toconstitute the priming charge, a valve which retains the fuel in thecylinder after it has been delivered thereinto, a valve controlling theflow of fuel from the said cylindrical chamber into the engine cylinder,and means for actuating this valve so as to permit such flow and at thesame time closing the said electric circuit and thereby causing thestarter to function as the charge of priming fuel is entering the enginecylinder as set forth.

13. In apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine thecombination of a starter of the type in which power is obtained fromgases under pressure produced by combustion of a charge contained in acartridge, means comprising an electric circuit for effecting theignition of this combustible charge, a chamber adapted to contain therequired fuel for a priming charge for the engine cylinder, means forvarying the capacity of this chamber and thereby determining the amountof fuel which is to constitute the priming charge, means for deliveringfuel into this chamber, means for maintaining under pressure the fuel inthis chamber, a valve controlling the flow of fuel from this chamberinto the engine cylinder, two separate pairs of switch contacts in thesaid electric circuit the closing of both of th'ese switches beingnecessary to complete that circuit, means for actuating the said valvewhich controls the flow of fuel and thereby permitting the primingcharge to flow to the engine cylinder,

means for closing one of the said switches when this valve is actuatedand the fuel flow to the engine begins, and means for closing the secondswitch and thus completing the electric circuit towards the end of thedelivery of the priming charge and thereby causing the starter tofunction while the priming fuel is entering the engine cylinder as setforth.

14. In apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine thecombination of a starter of the type in which power is obtained fromgases under pressure produced by combustion of a charge contained in acartridge, means comprising an electric circuit for effecting theignition of this combustible charge, a cylindrical chamber adapted tocontain the fuel required for the priming charge for the enginecylinder, a piston movable in this cylinder, means for delivering intothis cylinder fuel which then fills the space at one side of the piston,means acting and exerting pressure on the other side of the piston andthereby maintaining under pressure the fuel in the cylinder, a valvewhich retains the fuel in the cylinder after it has been deliveredthereinto, a valve controlling the flow of fuel from the saidcylindrical chamber into the engine cylinder, means for actuating thisfuel valve and thereby permitting the priming charge to flow to theengine cylinder, a pair of switch contacts in the said electric circuitwith means for closing this switch when the said fuel valve is actuatedand the fuel flow to the engine begins; and a second pair of switchcontacts in the said electric circuit with means for closing this switchas the said piston in moving nears the end of its fuel delivery stroke,the closing of this second switch completing the electric circuit andcausing'the starter to function while the priming fuel is still enteringthe engine cylinder as set forth.

CHARLES HORACE LIONEL VVYNNE.

HENRY CHRISTOPHER TRYON. FRANK RAYMOND FABER RAMSAY.

